defiance

open refusal to obey somebody/somethinga look/an act/a gesture of defianceNuclear testing was resumed in defiance of an international ban.Word FamilydefyverbdefiancenoundefiantadjectiveWord OriginMiddle English (denoting the renunciation of an allegiance or friendship): from Old French, from defier

‘defy’

.Extra examplesI left the room untidy out of sheer defiance.She held up a clenched fist in defiance.They organized a street demonstration in complete defiance of the government ban.blatant defiance of the rulesShe held up a clenched fist in a gesture of defiance.